Report for 12-06-2007
Salt Water
MEXICO BEACH/PORT ST JOE OFFSHORE
MEXICO BEACH/PORT ST JOE OFFSHORE
The reports still have Grouper moving in some and hitting around the 120’ mark. Big cuts of Bonita and butter flied whole Northern Mackerel were working well on 80lb fluorocarbon with 10/0 size circle hooks on a Carolina rig.
Jigging will also bring in the fish using either the fairwaters 8oz or the Braid slammer jig.
The Amberjack continue to bite around the deeper wrecks hitting jigs such as the AJ glow jig or Cigar Minnows.
ST JOSEPH BAY
Jigging will also bring in the fish using either the fairwaters 8oz or the Braid slammer jig.
The Amberjack continue to bite around the deeper wrecks hitting jigs such as the AJ glow jig or Cigar Minnows.
ST JOSEPH BAY
No change here this week as the Gulf canal fishing is steady. Anglers are using live shrimp on a 3/8 or 1/4 oz jig head. The PSJ Marina anglers are also using live shrimp on jig heads.
The best artificial baits in no particular order as follows; white 3” Gulp shrimp, clear or root-beer colored DOA shrimp in either ¼ oz. or ½ oz. and of course the old standby a ¼ oz red head jig fixed with a Mann’s white curly tail grub.
APALACHICOLA /WHITE CITY SALT WATER
The best artificial baits in no particular order as follows; white 3” Gulp shrimp, clear or root-beer colored DOA shrimp in either ¼ oz. or ½ oz. and of course the old standby a ¼ oz red head jig fixed with a Mann’s white curly tail grub.
APALACHICOLA /WHITE CITY SALT WATER
Some nice slot Redfish are being caught in Indian Pass. Use live shrimp or for artificial use "Gulp" soft baits or Gotcha grubs. A Sinking or suspending Mirrolure is working in the afternoon.
Trout are moving into the bayous like Big Bayou. Fish the deeper parts of the bayou and use live shrimp or DOA’s.
PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND BAYS
Trout are moving into the bayous like Big Bayou. Fish the deeper parts of the bayou and use live shrimp or DOA’s.
PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND BAYS
Snapper season is closed. For catch and release of these fish, try to stay in 60 feet of water or less to help insure a better mortality rate.
King Mackerel can be caught on hard bottom areas well offshore. Troll Dusters and free-line live or dead bait for the most action. Try a Stretch 25 or large Drone Spoon with 4-6 oz’s of lead for bigger Kings.
Grouper are being caught in shallower water. Scamp are being caught within 5 miles of the beach. Lots of Red Grouper can be caught within 10 miles over hard bottom areas. Live bait, whole Boston Mackerel and jigs(Shimano Butterfly or Williamson) are working well. Jigs with a glow color to them are a sure bet.
Amberjack are on many of the inshore wrecks and reefs in good numbers. Try the Bridge Spans for lots of action. The larger fish will be well offshore over hard bottom. Live Cigar Minnows or Pinfish will entice the larger fish, while jigs (Williamson Jig or AJ Jig) will trigger the most bites.
Ladyfish, Bluefish and Bonita are everywhere up and down the beaches right now. Throw Pompano Jigs, Gotcha’s and Spoons on light tackle for a lot of fun.
ST ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM
King Mackerel can be caught on hard bottom areas well offshore. Troll Dusters and free-line live or dead bait for the most action. Try a Stretch 25 or large Drone Spoon with 4-6 oz’s of lead for bigger Kings.
Grouper are being caught in shallower water. Scamp are being caught within 5 miles of the beach. Lots of Red Grouper can be caught within 10 miles over hard bottom areas. Live bait, whole Boston Mackerel and jigs(Shimano Butterfly or Williamson) are working well. Jigs with a glow color to them are a sure bet.
Amberjack are on many of the inshore wrecks and reefs in good numbers. Try the Bridge Spans for lots of action. The larger fish will be well offshore over hard bottom. Live Cigar Minnows or Pinfish will entice the larger fish, while jigs (Williamson Jig or AJ Jig) will trigger the most bites.
Ladyfish, Bluefish and Bonita are everywhere up and down the beaches right now. Throw Pompano Jigs, Gotcha’s and Spoons on light tackle for a lot of fun.
ST ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM
Mangrove Snappers are all over the jetties right now. They are easy to catch and great to eat. Use live shrimp with light weight and small hooks for best results.
The Flounder bite has been great. Best reports are coming from close to shore structure in up to 75 feet of water. Also, try Deep Water Point in the state park. Use a Carolina rig with live Bull Minnows for the best results. For artificial bait fishermen, use a 3/8 oz. jig with Gulp Curl Tail Minnows in a variety of colors.
The Trout bite is very good as many have started to move into the creeks, marinas, and intercostals waterway. The cooler water temperatures will push these fish into deep holes in these areas. Not much is better than live shrimp worked slowly on the bottom with a jighead or Carolina rig.
Bull Reds have moved into the pass in numbers. Gulp, Gold Spoons, Live Shrimp, LY’s, Bull Minnows, Pinfish and cut bait are working well.
DESTIN
The Flounder bite has been great. Best reports are coming from close to shore structure in up to 75 feet of water. Also, try Deep Water Point in the state park. Use a Carolina rig with live Bull Minnows for the best results. For artificial bait fishermen, use a 3/8 oz. jig with Gulp Curl Tail Minnows in a variety of colors.
The Trout bite is very good as many have started to move into the creeks, marinas, and intercostals waterway. The cooler water temperatures will push these fish into deep holes in these areas. Not much is better than live shrimp worked slowly on the bottom with a jighead or Carolina rig.
Bull Reds have moved into the pass in numbers. Gulp, Gold Spoons, Live Shrimp, LY’s, Bull Minnows, Pinfish and cut bait are working well.
DESTIN
Fishing from the pier has been ok this week. Plenty of Bonito are being caught on white jigs. There are a few Flounder on Berkley Gulps and Bull Minnows. There are good numbers of Blues and a few Reds mostly over sized and an occasional Pompano on Shrimp or Sand Fleas.
On the jetties there are good numbers of Sheepshead on live Shrimp. The Reds are good on the tide change along with some Blues. There are some days that a few keeper Grouper have been caught around the rocks.
In the Bay, the Trout both Specks and White Trout have been good around the 331 bridge and the sound. White Trout are also around the Cinco Bridge and the Shalimar Bridge. Flounder gigging is still ok as many of the Flounder have still not left the Bay area.
In the Gulf there is a good bite of Amberjack and few Groupers near the edge. Flounder are on most of the inshore structures but there have not been many near the pass area. Farther out the Tuna bite is still very good near the rigs but expect the Tuna to move to the lumps soon.
NAVARRE
On the jetties there are good numbers of Sheepshead on live Shrimp. The Reds are good on the tide change along with some Blues. There are some days that a few keeper Grouper have been caught around the rocks.
In the Bay, the Trout both Specks and White Trout have been good around the 331 bridge and the sound. White Trout are also around the Cinco Bridge and the Shalimar Bridge. Flounder gigging is still ok as many of the Flounder have still not left the Bay area.
In the Gulf there is a good bite of Amberjack and few Groupers near the edge. Flounder are on most of the inshore structures but there have not been many near the pass area. Farther out the Tuna bite is still very good near the rigs but expect the Tuna to move to the lumps soon.
NAVARRE
This week has been devoted to a gathering of Redfish in East Bay near the entrance to East River. A few of us fished the area near the river mouth and further up the bay around Dean Creek. Six Reds were caught and released within a 2 hour period. Even though we did not have time to fish the other creek entrances I think that the Reds should be there. The Reds were hitting Gold Spoons and one was caught using a Berkley Gulp shrimp in the new penny color.
Chris McBryer, fishing in the Escambia River near Jims Fish Camp, caught a Hybrid Bass weighing 12 lbs along with Redfish and Trout. He was using live shrimp for bait and was free lining it.
Sheepshead are around nearly any structure and are being caught using small live shrimp with #6 hooks.
Fresh Water
The Stripers and Hybrid Bass are starting to move into the intercostals and can be caught using Silver Grubs on a ¼ oz. jig head, live shrimp on a jig head, or Rattletraps. Look for these fish on an incoming tide behind structure. A strong current is best for these aggressive fighters.
Chris McBryer, fishing in the Escambia River near Jims Fish Camp, caught a Hybrid Bass weighing 12 lbs along with Redfish and Trout. He was using live shrimp for bait and was free lining it.
Sheepshead are around nearly any structure and are being caught using small live shrimp with #6 hooks.
Fresh Water
The Stripers and Hybrid Bass are starting to move into the intercostals and can be caught using Silver Grubs on a ¼ oz. jig head, live shrimp on a jig head, or Rattletraps. Look for these fish on an incoming tide behind structure. A strong current is best for these aggressive fighters.
Half Hitch Tackle
850-234-2621
2206 Thomas Dr
Panama City, Fl 32408
Fishing Report prepared by Half Hitch Tackle Staff.
The Captains Corner Fishing Report is provided by local charter captains and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Half Hitch Tackle.
The Captains Corner Fishing Report is provided by local charter captains and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Half Hitch Tackle.
This report is dedicated to the memory of Al Hubbard. Al Hubbard was a field editor for Florida Sportsman magazine, an outdoor writer for the News Herald and a board member of the Florida Outdoor Writer's Association. Mr. Hubbard was also the owner of Al's Outdoors Outfitting Services.
